Quick Hit ProStaff Review: Milwaukee Tool M18 FUEL Blower

An LH Block employee uses the M18 FUEL Blower to clean up debris at a jobsite.

Looking to clean the messiest of jobsites? How about blowing leaves and cleaning the yard after a windy autumn day? Recently, we had ProStaffer, Jon Block, electrician, LH Block Electric Co., Inc., test out Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL Blower. New and improved from the original M18 jobsite blower, the M18 FUEL Blower—now with a variable speed trigger—has the power to clear from 15 ft., generates up to 30% less noise than gas, and provides the longest, max CFM run-time.

Designed to meet landscape maintenance professional needs, and the needs of contractors with an untidy jobsite, the POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor and REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery provide the best combination of power and run-time.”The 9.0 battery lasts long enough for most jobs, but when I used my smaller capacity battery, it runs down within a couple of minutes,” says Block.

The blower features a variable speed trigger for increased control.”The M18 FUEL Blower, it’s really nice. It has enough power to get most everyday jobs complete. I really like the selectable 2-speed control and the lock-on button. That helps so you don’t have to hold the button down,” says Block.

The ambidextrous cruise control allows the blower to be set to a desired power output, so the operating hand can be relaxed reducing fatigue.

Yet, according to Block, the downside of the blower is that it doesn’t have a lock-off button. “Whenever you are carrying it around—without operating it—your fingers and hands naturally go to the trigger causing it to turn on at inconvenient times. It seems like it always is turning on when I’m carrying it. I know it’s as easy as moving my hand back, but the grip isn’t large enough behind the trigger to have a place to hold it,” says Block.

Overall, Block likes the tool, “It sure beats lugging an extension cord around the yard/jobsite or mixing gas and oil in a gas-powered unit.”

In 1998, Jon Block joined the team at LH Block Electric. After serving his apprenticeship and acquiring his Chicago Supervising Electrician License, Jonathan brought his extreme work ethic and his many new innovative ideas to the company and currently serves as the job superintendent and chief estimator.